cab-runner

A cab-runner helps a passenger with their luggage.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who calls taxis or horse-drawn carriages for hire: "cab-runner" refers to an individual whose occupation is to summon taxis or horse-drawn carriages for customers, often at stations or busy areas.
   • A person who loads or unloads luggage: "cab-runner" also means a person who handles luggage on or off taxis or horse-drawn carriages.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cab-runner stood at the station entrance, hailing taxis for arriving passengers. (A person who calls taxis for hire.)
  • He worked as a cab-runner, lifting heavy suitcases onto the carriage roof. (A person who loads luggage.)

Advanced Usage

• "cab-runner" as a historical occupation: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, cab-runners were common in cities where horse-drawn cabs were the primary transport.
  • The cab-runner's whistle alerted drivers to waiting customers. (The person used a whistle to signal cab drivers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cab-tout (n): a synonym for cab-runner, especially one who aggressively solicits customers.

  • The cab-tout shouted at tourists, offering them the best fare. (A person who aggressively calls for cab customers.)

• Cab (n): a taxi or horse-drawn carriage for hire.

  • She hailed a cab to get home quickly. (A taxi.)

Synonyms

• Hackney runner: a historical term for a person who calls horse-drawn cabs.
• Taxi tout: a person who tries to attract customers for taxis, often in a pushy manner.

Related Idioms

• To run a cab: an informal phrase meaning to operate a taxi service.
  • He used to run a cab in the city. (He operated a taxi business.)